Spoke to a Rastafarian and a ZCC church member the other day.
I gave the Rastafarian a lift from Port Nolloth to Okiep, while the ZCC member was a petrol attendant along the route, possibly in Vryburg.
What have these two gentlemen in common?
Reverence for persons other than Jesus.
The Rastafarians hail Haile Selassie as a prophet, even God incarnate, while some ZCC members have no problem involving ancestors in their worship.
To the Rastafarian I posed a challenge: ask your leader why you need Haile Selassie, when Jesus is superior even to angels.
The ZCC member asked me whether I believe in ancestors. I told him that I do, because they existed. I believe in a can of Coke too, cos I’ve seen one with my own eyes. But I won’t worship Coke or ancestors.
He was quick to say that he doesn’t pray to his ancestors, but two things need to be said: why did he bring up the issue, and just because he doesn’t do it, does not mean other members don’t.
In both those cases, it comes down to this: Jesus is not enough.
And this is something you’ll see in many Christian churches, especially the charismatic ones.
There’s a hunger for something to go along with Jesus. A need for some “fresh” word or revelation.
Why?
Hebrews 1 says God spoke through prophets in past times, but then spoke through His Son. (Read the chapter to see how magnificent Christ is.)
That’s enough.
Are there modern-day prophets?
We don’t need them!
We’ve got the sure word of God, the Bible.
All you need to understand it and grow through it is the Holy Spirit, a good hermeneutic and a willingness to learn.
We have Jesus. He is enough. You don’t need an encouraging “Word from the Lord” outside the Bible.
If you’ve been prophesied over, it prolly wasn’t from God.
Ironically, modern-day prophecy, which supposedly frees you to live for God (since it’s a thumbs up from God Himself, right?), can bind you something terrible.
Here you are, waiting for the Lord to give you clear direction through a direct voice, or through a “Word” from a friend or a leader, and you’re not moving any which way, because you’re waiting for that Word.
Meanwhile, there is so much wisdom in the Bible, and so much freedom, that you can do whatever you want, if your heart is with Jesus.
Let me suggest something…
You have heard from the Lord if you’ve read the Bible, and will continue to hear from the Lord, provided you keep reading the Bible.
It’s enough.
Jesus is enough.